Employers Push for Same Health-Care Billing Regardless of Site

Employer groups are lining up behind legislation headed to the House floor that would prevent medical groups owned by hospitals from charging more for services than private providers.

The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378) includes provisions that would require “site-neutral” payments for drug administration in off-campus hospital outpatient departments. The measure, which has bipartisan support, could come to a vote in the House as early as Monday.

Although the measure only applies to Medicare, employers say site-neutral payments could spill over to reduce costs for commercial plans. They argue the additional fees hospital-owned practices are charging ...